Two arrested in Middleton road rage incident

MIDDLETON - Farmington police arrested two men Wednesday in connection with a rolling road-rage incident earlier this month, in which a baseball bat, chainsaw and a long pole with a knife on the end were used.

James Hartford, 17, whose last known address was 504 Main St., Apt. 2, Farmington, and Justin Barnes, 22, of 504 Main St., Apt. 2, Farmington, were both charged with conspiracy to commit criminal threatening for allegedly planning to run a man off the road while threatening to kill him, according to police.

Police said the Jan. 17 incident began along Main Street - Route 153 - in Farmington when two people were threatened by two men wielding a baseball bat and a chainsaw. Police said the incident continued along Route 153 as two cars drove north into Milton and Middleton.

The two people who say they were threatened also told police that the passenger in the other vehicle attempted to break their windows - while traveling along Route 153 - using a long pole with a knife attached to the end, according to Middleton police.

The two victims eventually drove to the Farmington police station while the assailants left the area. After Middleton police interviewed the two victims, a warrant was issued for Joshua Hussey, 21, of 22 Winter St., Dover.

The next day, Dover police arrested Hussey, who was charged with two felonies - reckless conduct and criminal liability for the conduct of another - based on the road-rage report. After his arraignment, Hussey was released on $5,000 personal recognizance and ordered to have no contact with the victims.

Tips from area residents led investigators to Hartford and Barnes, who were arrested by Farmington police Wednesday around 11 p.m. After refusing bail, they were held in Strafford County Jail in Dover and are scheduled to be arraigned in 7th Circuit Court, Rochester District Court, Thursday morning.

Conspiracy to commit criminal threatening is a class B felony, which is punishable by up to 3½ to 7 years in prison.

Police say the five people involved knew each other. While additional charges may be filed, investigators do not expect to arrest any others in the matter, according to Middleton police.